Electrical switching device



June 4, 1940. w w. SCHMID 2,203,309

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 2, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig-1LINVENT R June 4, 1940. w SCI-[MID 2,203,309

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 2, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WilliamSchmt Xuvs TOR wfiw/ ,M W

ATT onwzys W. SCHMID ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 2, 1936 4Sheets-Sheet I5 We iiiam Sckm INV TOR Y MM, W

ATTORN EXE:

June 4, 1940. SCHM"; 2,203,309

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING DEVICE Filed Nov. 2. 1936 4 Shets-Sheet 4 'WfiiamSchmd.

lmvi TOR mzm dm m ATTQRNE s being shown in elevation, and other partsbeing broken away to better accommodate the view to Patented June 4,1940 2,2 3 nwcrnlolu. swrronnvc DEVICE William Schmid, Bronson, Mich,assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Kingston Products Corporation, a corporation ofIndiana Application November 2, 1936, Serial No. 108,714

6v Claims.

This invention relates to electrical switching devices, moreparticularly to the type of switching devices suitable for use withautomotive vehicles, and the principal object of this invention is toprovide new and improved devices of this type.

In the drawings accompanying the specification and forming a part ofthis application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, severalforms which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view through an embodimentof the invention, parts the sheet,

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view corresponding substantially tothe line 22 of Fig ure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, with parts shown in elevation,disclosing a method of assembling the actuator means with the operatingmeans,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 3 showing amethod of disassembling the actuator means from the operating means,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of some of the parts of the embodimentshown in Figures 1 through 4,

Figure 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view through a differentembodiment of the invention, parts being shown in elevation, and partsbeing broken away,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view correspondingsubstantially to the line of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of some of the parts of the embodimentshown in Figures 6 and 7,

Figure 9 is a central longitudinal sectional view of still anotherembodiment of the invention, parts being shown in elevation,

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional view corresponding substantially tothe line Ill-I0 of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view corresponding substantially tothe line of Figure 9, and

Figure 12 is perspective view of some of the parts comprising theembodiment shown in Figures 9 through 11.

Referring first to Figures 1 through 5,. the embodiment of the inventiontherein shown comprises a box-like housing means -|5, preferably formedof sheet metal, and having integral side walls is, end walls H, and abottom wall l8. As

best shown in Figure 5, one end wall l1 is'provided with an aperture I9having arcuate and rectilinear margins, and this end wall is providedwith portions 23 bent to lie in planes including the side walls l6, eachof the bent portions 20 having an angular defining margin 2| which abutsa complementary margin formed on the side walls I 6, so that in effect,the bent portions 20 form con tinuations of the side walls It. Each ofthe bent portions 20 is provided with an extending ear 22, and theadjacent'part of the margin of each of the side walls I6 is providedwith an extending ear 23.- The side walls l6 are also. provided withears 24 formed intermediate their length, and cars 25 are formed on theside walls adjacent the other end I! of the housing l5. This other ,endI! of the housing I5 is provided with an elongated generally rectangularaperture 26, and the bottom wall l8 of the housing I5 is provided withan aperture 21, and an outwardly depressed well portion 28. The end wallI! in which the aperture 26 is formed is provided with an extending ear29.

The housing I5 is adapted to be closed by a closure plate 30, having aplane portion 3| provided with a generally triangularly shaped aperture32. Intermediate the longitudinal extremities of the plane portion 3|,the closure plate 3|! is provided with integral angularly outwardlyextending walls 33, and a wall 34 connecting the walls 33, and disposedsubstantially parallel to the plane portion 3|. The wall 34 is providedwith an aperture 35 having inwardly directed projections 36 formed onits margin. The plane portion -3|, adjacent the offset formed by thewalls 33, is provided with an outwardly pressed chamber 38, and thedefining margin of the plane v portion 3| adjacent the chamber 38 isrecessed as shown at 39. A margin of the chamber 38 is provided with adownwardly extending ear 4G projecting between the margins of the recess38. The plane portion 3| of the closure plate 30 is provided withrecesses 4| and 42 for accommodating the ears 24 and 25 formed on theside walls of the housing means I5, and a recess 43 is provided foraccommodating the projection 29 formed on the end wall ii. The planeportion 3|, adjacent the chamber38, is provided with recesses 63 and 45adapted to accommodate the ears 22 and 23 formed on the bent portions 20and side walls I6 respectively of the housing means i5. When assembledwith the housing means K5, the inner surface of the closure plate 3|]rests on the terminal margins of the side walls i6 and end walls it, andthe extremities of the ears 22, 2s, 2d, and

are bent to overlie the outer surface of the closure means 30.

' comprising a generally rectangular portion leading to the exteriorsurface of the support and a circular well 5i leading to the interiorsurface of the support 58, and countersinking the rectangular portion5t. Disposed in each of the apertures M is a contact means, and asshown,

four contact means are provided, three, num

bered 52, are adapted for receiving a single conductor terminal, and thefourth, numbered being adapted to receive two conductor terminals.

The contact means 52 and 53 are fully described having a generallyannular dome-shaped portion 511, the latter portion having a flange atits periphery, which flange is adapted to be spun over the flanges 56 ofthe body portion 56, as shown at 58. A helical spring 59 and detentmeans 60 are disposed within the tubular body portion 54 before thesheet metal contact is se cured to the body portion, the spring 59being,

interposed between the detent member 8 and the inner surface of thedome-shaped portion 5?, to urge the detent member against a shoulderformed on a body portion 541 adjacent the loop portion 55, so that aportion of the detent member 60 is yieldably held in the recess providedby the loop portion 55. A helical spring 68 is disposed about thetubular body portion 5%, the spring 6i being interposed between thebottom of the well 5| and the spun-over extremity 58 of the sheet metalcontact. It will be appreciated that the body portion 54 has atransverse section'cl'osely fitting the outline of the rectangularportion 58 of the aperture t9, so that the contact means is held againstrotation. The contact means 53 is similar to they contact means 52, withthe exception that the body portion is elongated to provide two recessesfor accommodating conductor terminals, and two detent means are providedto cooperate with the two recesses.

Operating means 62 are arranged within the housing means l5, and areadapted to be moved relative thereto, the operating means 82 beingpreferably; formed of sheet metal and comprising a generally planesurface 63, at one end having an integral upwardly bent portion 84. Theterminal margin of the portion 64 is provided with spaced projections 65and extending upwardly from the plane surface 63 to a point short of theterminal margin of the bent portion 84 is a centrally locatedrectangular aperture 66. Theplane Surface 63 is formed with a portion 61provided with an elongated aperture 58, for a purpose {hereinafterapparent. A reduced portion 99 forms a continuation of the portion 61,and leads to this portion by means of angular defining walls iii, thereduced portion 89 being provided with an aperture 3. Extending from thereduced portion 6% is a further reduced portion 112, forming shouldersl3 with the first reduced portion. The operating means may, if desired,be made of a width so that the longitudinal margins thereof slidablyengage the inner surfaces of the side walls is of the housing means l5.Also, the operating means, if made of a lesser width, may

- be provided with projections slidably engaging the inner surfaces ofthe side walls l8.

Carried by the operating means 82 is a carrier block 1d, preferablyformed of insulating material as shown, and of a generally oblong shape,the top surface being recessed as shown at .715 to provide anirregularly shaped recess, best illustrated in Figure 5, the recessedportion it being provided with an upstanding circular lug 716, andinwardly tapering recesses ll. One side margin of the carrier block it}is provided with recesses 08, and the other side margin is provided witha recess iii, and an end margin is provided with an arcuate recess til.The lower surface of the carrier bloclr lid is recessed as shown at 3!,the recessed surface being provided with an extending mg 832 of a sizeto closely fit the aperture H formed in the operating means 82. Therecessed under-surface 8 of the carrier block M closely conforms to theconfiguration of the adjacent part of the operating means 652, so thatthe carrier block id may be assembled with the operating means 82 instraddled relation. The carrier block lid is preferably made of a widthslightly less than the distance between the inner surfaces of the sidewalls it, so that movement of the operating member is guided by slidingengagement between the transverse margins of the carrier block and theinner surfaces of the walls I Bridge means 83 are assembled with thecarrier block M, and comprise a generally plane circuit continuing platehaving a configuration similar tothe recess '05 formed in the uppersurface of the carrier block id. The bridge means 83 is provided with anaperture 84 closely fitting the projection '18 of the carrier block 14,and also has inwardly depressed arcuate recesses 85 formingprotuberances fitting within the inwardly tapering recesses ll formed onthe carrier block M. One terminal margin of the bridge means-83 isprovided with angularly downwardly extending cars 88 fitting'in therecesses 18, and the other terminal margin is provided with an offsetportion having an ear 8'! fitting in the recess 19 of the carrier blockI4.

A bushing member 88 is interposed through the aperture it in the endwall H, the bushing 88 being exteriorly threaded as shown at 89, andhaving flatted surfaces 90 cooperable with the rectangular margins ofthe aperture l9 so that the bushing is held against rotation. Thebushing 88 is provided with a shoulder 9| at one extremity, and a plate92, having an aperture 93 similar to the aperture I9, is interposedbetween the inner surface of the end wall I! and the shoulder 9| toform. a means for reenforcing the end wall H. The bushing 88 is providedwith a bore 94, and as best shown in Figure 1, the extremity'of thebushing 88 opposite the shoulder the aperture 95 being similar to theapertures I9 and 93. A nut 97, having a closed end 98, is provided withscrew-threads engageable with the screw-threads 89 of the bushing 88,the nut 91 being drawn up against the mounting 96 to hold the switchingdevice to the mounting 96. The closed end of the nut 91 is apertured asshown at 99, the aperture being provided with marginal recesses I 00,adapted to receive a spanner wrench for properly drawing up the nut 91.As best shown in Figure 1, the bushing 88 is held against displacementfrom the switching device by the downwardly extending ear 40 formed onthe closure plate 30.

Actuator or handle means IOI are provided for effecting movement of theoperating means 62, the actuator means IOI comprising a rod I 02,adapted to work through the aperture 99 and the bore 94in the nut 9! andthe bushing 88 respectively,'the rod I02 being provided with a beveledextremity I03, and spaced inwardly from the beveled extremity I03 is aslot I04 formed transversely of the rod I02. The other extremity of therod I 02 is provided with a button I05, preferably formed of insulatingmaterial, and bearing'suitable indicia indicating means controlled bythe switching device.

Theparts of the switching device, not including the actuator or handlemeans I 0|, may be assembled in any desirable manner, and whenassembled, assume the relation shown in Figures 1 and 2. It will benoted that the under-surface of the operating means 62 is adapted toride on a support, here shown to be an elongated roller I06 disposed inthe well 28, the roller I06 being rotatively movable in the well 28 in adirection parallel to the direction of movement of the operating means62. The roller I06 not only pro-- vides an anti-friction bearing supportfor the operating means 62, but further provides a fulcrum. The springs6| encircling the contact means 52 and 53 normally urge the shoulder 48of the support member 46 against the inner surface of the closure means30, and also urge the sheet metal contact portion of the contact means62 and 53 against the bridge means 83 or the adjacent surface of thecarrier block I4, the bridge means 83, as best shown in Figure 1, havingits outer surface generally flush with the adjacentsurface of thecarrier block I4. The force against the bridge means 83 and carrierblock I4 is transmitted to the operating means 62, to normally cause theoperating means 62 to swing in a counter-clockwise position as viewed inFigure 1, this force urging the bent portion 64 of the operating means62 downwardly. The combined support and fulcrum for the operating means62, instead of the well 28 and roller I06, may take the form of aplurality of grooves formed in the bottom wall I8 of the housing means I5, eachgroovc being provided with a ball adapted to support theoperating means 62. Additionally, the well 28 and roller I06 may besupplanted by a transversely extending, inwardly directed, projectionpressed from the bottom wall I8.

To assemble the actuator or handle means IOI with the operating means62, the rod I02 is inserted through the aperture 99 and bore 94 of thenut 91 and bushing 88 respectively, until the beveled portion I03strikes the upper rectilinear margin I01 of the recess 66. The operatingmeans 62 will be urged to the extreme right hand position shown inFigure 1, and additional inserting force on the actuator means IOIcauses the'beveled surface I 03 to cam the adjacent end of the,

operating means 62 in an upward direction, this upward movement beingpermitted by reason of the fact that the closure means 30 is providedwith the upwardly extending chamber 38, and the force is exerted untilthe beveled surface I03 clears the rectilinear margin I0I of'the recess66, whereupon relative movement of the rod I02 with respect to the bentportion 64 of the operating means 62 causes'the slot I04 to align withthe margin I0'I of the recess 66, and the urging force of the springs 6|surrounding the contact means 52 and 53 causes the margin I 01 of therecess 66 to snap into the slot I04, and yieldably hold the actuatormeans IOI and the operating means 62 in assembled relation.

To disassemble the actuator means IOI from the operating means 62, it-isonly necessary to turn the rod I02 through at least a quarter of arevolution, causing the unslotted portion of the rod I 02 to engage themargin I0'I of the recess 66, and the rod I02 may then be removed-fromthe recess 66. It will be obvious that the chamber 38 formed in theclosure means 30 provides space so that the actuator means IM and theoperating means 62 may be assembled or disassembled in any of thepositions of the operating means 62; however, this chamber 38 may be soconstructed and arranged to provide for assembly and disassembly of theactuator means I M and the operating means 62 in any predeterminedposition. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the actuatormeans I M may be assembled or disassembled with respect to the operatingmeans 62 fromone side of the mounting 96.

A lamp construction I08-is adapted to be assembled with the switchingdevice, and as 7 shown in Figure 1, the lamp construction I08 comprisesa socket I09 adapted tobe disposed within the aperture 35 in the closureplate 30, and having suitable slot means interengageable with theprojections 36, so as to hold the socket I09 to the closure plate 30.The socket I09 is provided with an insulating contact carrier IIO,carrying a slidable contact I II, the latter having a contact head II2adapted to engage a contact. formed on the base II3 of an electric lampH4. The base II3 of the lamp H4 is received within a socket I I5,smaller in diameter than the socket I09, the socket I I5 having radiallyextending portions II6 secured to the socket I09. It will be appreciatedthat the lamp construction I08 is removably assembled with the switchingdevice, and when assembled, light from the electric lamp II4 illuminatesthe interior of the switching device, and some light passes through theaperture 21 formed in the bottom wall I8 of the housing means I 5. Asshown in Figure 1, the electric lamp H4 is disposed in the spaceprovided by the recess 08 of the operating means 62, the recess beingelongated so' that the lamp II4 will not interfere with movement of theoperating means. The arcuate recess 80 in the carrier block I4 alsoprovides clearance for proper movement of the operating means 62.

Referring to Figures 6 through 8; the switching device therein disclosedcomprises a housing means I20, having a bottom wall I2I, side walls I22,and end Walls I23 and-I24. As best shown in Figure 8, the housing meansI20 is preferably bottom wall, the end wall I23 being provided with anaperture I25, similar to the aperture I9 hereinbefore described. The endwall I23 also has an angular portion I26, bent to span a portion cf theupper margins of the side walls I22, the portion I26 being provided withnotches adapted to receive fingers I21, and the fingers are bent tooverlie the outer surface of the portion I26 to hold the portion inposition. The end wall I23 is formed with angular portions I29 which arebent to overlie the adjacent surfaces of the side walls I22. Theconstruction described materially strengthens the adjacent part' of thehousing means I20. The bent portion I26 is provided with a finger I28for a purpose that will be hereinafter apparent.

The rear end of the housing means I20, that is the right hand portion asshown in Figures 6.

and 8, is reduced in height, the end wall I24 being provided with arectangular aperture I30, and

also having extending portions I3I bent to over- 1 tained within thewell portion I31.

An operating means I39 is provided for effecting operation of theswitching device in much the same manner as that previously described,the operating means comprising a generally plane plate-like member,having an aperture I40 formed therein, and having one extremity bentupwardly as shown at I. The upwardly bent extremity is provided with arecess I42, the lower margin of which is arcuate, and the upper marginis rectilinear as shown at I43. The terminal margin of the bent portionMI is provided with a notch I44. The extremity of the operating meansI39 opposite the bent portion I is reduced as shown at- I45, to providefor passage of this extremity through the rectangular aperture I30formed in the end wall I24 of the housing means A carrier block I46 isassembled with the operating means I39, the carrier block I46 havingaprojection I41 formed in its lower surface, and fitting within theaperture I40 provided in the operating means I39. The upper surface ofthe carrier block I46 is provided with a recessed portion I48, having anirregular shape as best shown in Figure 8, the recess I48 being providedwith inwardly tapering recesses I49. One margin of the carrier block I46is provided with notches I50, and the opposite margin is provided with anotch I5I.

Bridge means I52 are provided for assembly. with the carrier block I46,and as best shown in Figure 8, the bridge means I52 preferably comprisesa plate of current conducting material of a shape correspondinggenerally to the shape of the recessed portion I48 provided in thecarrier block I46, and of a thickness to be disposed in the recess 148so that the outer surface of the bridge means I52 is substantially flushwith the outer surface of the carrier block I46. The

- bridge means I52 is provided with angular downture I 51, so as to urgethe respective contact through the carrier block to the operatingmembridge means I52, so as to be disposed within the inwardly taperingrecesses I49 of the carrier block I46 when the bridge means I52 isassembled with the carrier block I46.

A contact support I56, preferably formed of 5 insulating material asshown, is formed with a plurality of apertures I51, similar to theapertures 49 hereinbefore described,- the apertures I51 being adapted toreceive contact means I58 and I59, similar to the contact means 52 and53. As 1 before, a resilient means, such as a helical spring I60, isadapted to encircle the body portion of each of the contact means I58and I59, and be disposed in the well portion of a respective apermeansdownwardly, referring to Figures 6 and 8. The support I56 is providedwith notches I6I in opposite margins, and its rear portion is providedwith a downwardly projecting lip I62.

To assemble the structure thus far described. the operating means I39 isplaced in the housing means I20, with its reduced extremity I45 disposedthrough the aperture I30 in the end wall I24, and the lower surface ofthe operating means I39 is positioned to ride on the support orelongated roller I38. The carrier block I46, carrying the bridge meansI52, is assembled with the operating means I39 by seating the projectionI41 in the aperture I40. The contact support I56 is' then placed inposition on the housing means I20, the fingers I32 being disposed in thenotches I6I, and the lower surface of the support I56 resting on theupper margins of the side walls I22. The extremities I33 of the fingersI32 are then bent to overlie the upper surface of the support I56, andas best shown in Figure 6, the downwardly projecting lip I62 overhangs aportion of the end wall I24. In the assembly thus far described,the'spring I60 encircling the body portion of each of the contact meansI 58 and I59 urges the contact means into engagement with either of theupper surfaces of the carrier block I45 or with the upper surface of thebridge means I52, and this urging force is transmitted ber I39, to causethis operating member to swing about the' support or roller I38 in acounterclockwise direction, referring to Figure 6.

As before, the switching device is secured to an apertured mounting I63.by means of a bushing I64 and a nut I65, these parts being respectivelysimilar to the mounting 96, bushing 88, and nut 91, hereinbeforedescribed. The finger I28, formed in the bent portion I26 of the endwall I23, is bent inwardly as shown at I66 to engage the shoulder on thebushing I64 so as to hold the bushing assembled with the housing meansI20. In this embodiment it will be appreciated that the carrier blockI46 is of a width substantially equal to the spacing of the side wallsI22, so that movement of the carrier block I46 and the operating meansI39 is guided by sliding engagement between the margins of the carrierblock I46 and the inner surface of the side walls I22. n

Actuator or handle means I61, similar to the actuator means IOIhereinbefore described, are detachably connected to the operating meansI39 in a manner similar to that described in the embodiment shown inFigures 1 through 5. The actuator means I61 is provided with a beveledextremity I68 and a transverse slot I69, and is cooperable with therecess I42 and its rectilinear margin I43 substantially as before.Referring to Figure 6, it will be noted that connection anddisconnection of the actuating means I61 with the operating means I39may be effected only in the position shown in Figure 6, that is therearward position of the operating means I39, the connection ordisconnection of the parts in any other position being prevented by thebent portion I26 of the end wall I23. The rearward position, in thisparticular instance, is the position wherein the contact means I58 andI59 are not bridged by the bridge means I52, or in other words, therearward position is the "off position of the switching device.

An electric lamp construction I10, similar to the electric lampconstruction I08, may be assembled with either side wall I22 byinserting the socket of the lamp construction I10 in the proper apertureI35, and engaging the slots formed in the socket with the projectionsI36 formed in the aperture I35.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 9through 12, a box-like sheet metal housing means "I is provided forreceiving the switching mechanism, the housing means I1I comprising abottom wall I12, side walls I 13, and end walls I14 and I15. The bottomwall I12 is provided with a recess I18, adjacent the end wall I15, thisbottom wall also being provided with a struck-up ear I11 adjacent theend wall I14, the ear I11 functioning to hold a bushing I18 assembledwith the end wall I 14. of

the housing means "I. The bushing I18, similar.

to the bushing 88, passes through an apertured mounting I19, and is heldin position by a nut I80, the mounting I19 and nut I80 being similar toparts hereinbefore described.

Disposed within the'housing IN is an operating means I8I, having agenerally plane portion I82 and anangularly bent extremity I83, theextremity I83 being provided with a recess I84 similar to the recess 66hereinbefore described. The terminal margin of the extremity I83 isnotched to provide a projection I85. The plane portion I82 of theoperating means I8I is provided with an upwardly pressed proturberanceI86, and adjacent the extremity of the operating means I8I there isprovided a downwardly pr'ojecting protuberance I81, the protuberance,I81 being adapted to cooperate with the recess I16. The side margins ofthe plane portion I82 are provided with upwardly extendingsupports I88and I89, the support I88 being notched to provide a centrally, disposedfinger I90, whereas the support I89 is provided with a centrallydisposed notch I9l, which forms fingers I92.

A carrier block isadapte'd to be supported by the supports I88 and I89,the carrier block in this instance comprising two generally rectangularinsulating plates I93 and I94. The insulating plate I93 is provided witha generally centrally disposed aperture I95. One margin of the plate I93is provided with a slot I96, and the opposite margin is provided withslots I91, the slots I96 and I91 fitting respectively the fingers I90and I92 of the supports I88 and I89. The plate I93 is also provided withapertures I98, spaced as best shown in Figure 12. The plate I94 isprovided with notches I99 and 200, these notches being similar to andfor the same purpose as the notches I96 and I91 formed in the plate I93.Also, the plate I94 is' providedwith apertures 20I coinciding with theapertures I 98 of the plate I93.

Bridge means 202, of generally L-formation as shown in Figure 12,preferably comprise a plate of current conducting material, havingangular operating means l8I.

downwardly projecting fingers 203 adapted to pass through the apertures20I. and I98 formed respectively in the plates I94 and I 93, and theextremities of the fingers 203' may be bent to overlie the under-surfaceof the plate I 93, and thereby hold the plates I93 and I94 and thebridge means 202 assembled. 'Yieldable means, such as a helical spring204, is provided for interposition between the under-surface of theplate I94 and the upper surface of the operating means I8I, oneextremity of the spring 204 being disposed within the aperture I 95formed in the plate I93, and the other extremity surrounding theprotuberance I86.

A contact support 205, preferably formed of insulating material, carriescontacts 206 of a type similar to that described in a copendingapplication, serial number 25,116, filed June 5, 1935, now Patent No.2,144,484, patented January 17, 1939. The contact means 206 are eachprovided with spring pressed detents 201 holding a conductor terminal inapertures 208 i'ormed'in the body portion of the contact means 206. Anextremity of each contact means 206 is reduced to form a shoulderabutting the upper surface of the support 205, and the end of thisextremity projects through 'a suitable aperture in the support, and isheaded over the underfor yieldably gageable with the bridge means 202.The support 205 rests on the margins defining the open end of thehousing means Ill, and fingers 2I0 may be provided on the housing meansIll, and may be clinchable over the outer surface of the support 205, tohold the support assembled with the housing means.

Actuator means or handle means 2| I, similar to the means IOIhereinbefore described, may be assembled and disassembled with theoperating means I8I in a manner similar to that shown and described inthe embodiment disclosed'in Figures 1 through 5. It will be appreciatedthat the spring 204 urges the bridge means 202 against the contacts 209of the contact means 206, and also urges the operating means I 8I toswing in 'a counter-clockwise direction (Figure 9) about The support 205is prothe protuberance I81. vided with a slot 2I2 of a size adapted toclear the projection I formed on the angular extremity I83 of theoperating means I8I, and when the operating means I8I is in the positionshown in Figure 9, the actuator ,sembled or disassembled with respect tothe slot 2I2 may be widened, to permit assembly or disassembly in otherpositions of the actuating means IN, or a series of slots may-beprovided to permit such assembly or disassembly. 4

The protuberance I81, in addition to serving,

as a fulcrum for the operating means 18!, is engageable, in apredetermined position of the switch, with the recess I16 formed in abottom wall I12 of the housing means I11, to provide a greater yieldableopposition to movement of the operating means I91. In the preferableconstruction, the protuberance I81 engages the recess I16 in anintermediate position of the switching device. Of course, it will beappreciated, that the type of support and fulcrum hereinbefore describedmay be used in this embodiment, if desired. As best shown in Figures 10and 11, the supports I88 and I89, of the operating means I8I, are spacedapart so that their outer surfaces engage the inner surface of the sidewalls I13 of the housing means I", the plates I93 and I94 also means 2may be as- It will be obvious that the being of a width to engage theseinner surfaces. It will be appreciated that the construction may be soformed that either the supports I88 and I89 or the plates I93 and I94engage the inner surfaces of the side walls I13 to guide movement of theoperating-means IBI.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the, art that I haveaccomplished at least the principal object of my invention, and it alsowill be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments hereindescribed may be variously changed and -modified, without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of usesand has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will beappreciated that the herelndisclosed embodiments are illustrative only,and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

1. Electrical switching mechanism, comprising: a support member; abridge member; movable operating means, carrying said bridge member formovement relative to said support member; contact means carried by saidsupport member for movement relative to said support member in adirection transverse to the movement of said bridge member, said contactmeans having a portion for engagement with said bridge member; bearingmeans, for supporting said operating means, constructed and arranged toprovide for said relative movement of said operating means, and alsoproviding a fulcrum for rocking of said operating means; handle means,for effecting movement of said operating means, said handle means havinga detachable connection with said operating means, said connection beingreleased by movement of said operating means to a predetermined positionabout said furcrum; and resilient means, constructed and arranged tourge the portion of said contact means against said bridge member so asto yieldably hold said operating means in a position opposite to saidpredetermined position, and thereby yieldably hold said handle meansconnected tosaid operating means.

2. Electrical switching mechanism arranged substantially within ahousing, comprising: movable operating means, for moving the switchingto a wall of said housing, yieldably urging said end portion and saidaperture out of axial alignment; said actuator means being connected tosaid operating means by inserting said tip portion into said apertureand causing movement 'of said end portion through said aperture, saidoblique surface engaging the margin of, said aperture and camming saidaperture and said end portion into axial alignment, and further movingsaid end portion through said aperture until the marginal surface ofsaid aperture snaps into said notch and is held in latching relation bysaid resilient means, said actuator means being disconnected from saidoperating means by relatively rotating said actuator means and saidoperating means, so that the cylindrical surface adjacent said notchengages the marginal surface of said aperture and cams said aperture andsaid end portion into axial alignment against the urging force of saidresilient means, and causing axial movement of said end portion out ofsaid aperture, to bodily separate said actuator means and said operatingmeans. 7

3. Electrical switching mechanism arranged substantially within ahousing, comprising: contact means; reciprocable means, movable relativeto said contact means, and comprising bridge means cooperable with saidcontact means, and a relatively planar surface; and bearing meanscarried by a planar wall of said housing, comprising a surfacecontacting said planar surface and transversely disposed with respect tothe movement of said reciprocable means and engaging said planar surface'at a place whereby to maintain said reciprocable means in a tiltedposition with respect to the planar wall of said housing.

4. Electrical switching mechanism arranged substantially within ahousing, comprising: contact means; reciprocable means, movable relativeto said .contact means, and comprising bridge means cooperable with saidcontact means, and a relatively planar surface; and a roller bearingcarried by a planar wall of said housing engaging said planar surface,andproviding an antifriction support for said reciprocable means, theaxis of said roller bearing being disposed trans versely of the movementof said reciprocable means whereby to maintain said reciprocable meansin a tilted position.

5. Electrical switching mechanism, comprising: contact means;reciprocable means, movable relative to said contact means, andcomprising bridge means cooperable with said contact means, and arelatively planar surface; casing means, generally housing said contactmeans and said reciprocable means, and being formed with a well portion:and bearing means, disposed in said well portion, and engaging saidplanar surface and providing an anti-friction support for saidreciprocable means, said bearing means being bodily movable in said wellportion generally parallel to the movement of said reciprocable meansand providing means whereby to maintain said reciprocable means in atilted position with respect to the wall of said casing means having thewell therein.

6. Electrical switching mechanism, comprising: housing means, having awall formed with a recess; contact means, carried by said housing means;means reciprocable within said casing, comprisingbridge means movableinto and out of engagement with said contact means; actuator means,connected to said reciprocable means for effecting movement of saidreciprocable means, and holding one end of said reciprocable means inspaced relation from said casing wall; said reciprocable means having anabutment adjacent its other end slidably engaging said casing wall andholding said other end in spaced relation from said casing wall; therecess formed in' said casing wall lying in the path of movement of saidabutment, and said abutment yieldably seating in said recess in apredetermined position of said reciprocable means, thereby providingmeans to indicate when said predetermined position is reached.

' WILLIAM SCHMID.

